The discovery of America’s strange but wacky attractions continued as we headed into the state of North Dakota. Home to the weirdly wonderful Enchanted Highway and the ancient Turtle Mountains, this adventure was one to remember, introducing us to some truly bizarre places to visit. So be prepared to encounter some “big things” as you take the Jurnii into one of the most deserted state’s there is!

1. Tommy Turtle: Bottineau, North Dakota

The small town of Bottineau may be situated on a flatness that extends for as far as the eye can see, but there is one thing about it that never fails to stand out (or up): Tommy Turtle.

This monolithic, though oddly unrealistic, turtle is the tallest in the world, standing (yes folks you read it right, standing) at a whopping 30 feet tall.

Straddled against the world’s largest snowmobile, Tommy guards the entrance to the local tennis courts, doing a fine job with his protective gear and friendly smile.

2.  The W’eel Turtle:  Dunseith,  North Dakota

North Dakota sure does like its turtle monuments, with the town of Dunseith even going to the somewhat extreme lengths of constructing a man-made turtle, “turtley” out of wheel rims.

2,000 steel wheels have gone into making this “novelty” attraction: that’s either an incredibly innovative way to recycle, or the locals simply enjoy the whole “slow and steady wins the race” process.

3.  The World’s Largest Grasshopper – The Enchanted Highway:  Regent, North Dakota

Gary Greff’s original idea for the Enchanted Highway has soared and the grasshopper has a lot to do with this.

For all those acridophobians out there, don’t let its size fool you though; unlike real grasshoppers, this one is completely harmless.

4. Tin Family – The Enchanted Highway:  Regent, North Dakota

The local tin family offers a popular stop-off point along the Enchanted Highway, visually depicting a larger than life impression of farming life.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the tin sculptures is the mother’s hair, which if you look closely enough will notice is made of barbed wire.

Original, to say the least.

5. Paul Broste Rock Museum:  Parshall, North Dakota

Rocks seem to be a popular feature of many of North Dakota’s more mainstream attractions, but none incorporate their clever use more so than the Paul Broste Rock Museum (and we’re talking the natural resource, not the style of music).

Every aspect of this establishment is comprised of rocks, which may at first glance appear boring and unattractive, but will eventually leave you a-stone-ished.

- Chrissy

Visited any other weird and wacky, or just plain big attractions in North Dakota? Let us know about them and we’ll give them a squizz.

Attractions, Fun, strange

In search of America’s most bizarre attractions, we journey from Illinois and across the Midwest to Michigan, epicentre of America’s industrial heartland. Amidst the vast clutter of mundane car museums and tire factories, we discover four seriously strange roadside attractions, worthy of your visitation:

1. Pet Casket Factory Tours: Gladstone, Michigan

Choose the wrong coffin for your cat or dog and you could seriously compromise the quality of their afterlife. Chose the right one however, and they’ll be happily sniffing crotches and scratching furniture in pet heaven for eternity.

If you’re clueless about how to pick the right resting place for your pet, a visit to Gladstone’s Pet Casket Factory is a must. Here you’ll learn the inns and outs of pet coffin selection, and gain first hand insight into the manufacturing process.

The hermetic sealed coffins on display here come in seven standard sizes and are so air tight that they have been deemed “time capsule quality” (just in case you wanted to dig up Scruffy 20 years down the road). Doggy heaven is just a matter of time.

2. Singing Beach: Bete Grise, Michigan

Just lay your hand atop the smooth sand of Bete Grise and with a simple lateral rotation of your wrist, the beaches gentle singing voice comes to life. The mysterious voice is said to be that of an Ancient Indian maiden singing to her lover across the lake, though to us it sounded more like a mix between Cheryl Crow and Jewel. Disappointing considering we were after something a bit more Guns & Roses.

3. Circus Train Wreck Memorial: Durand, Michigan

On the eve of August 6^th 1903, the brakes aboard the great Wallace Brother’s Circus Train gave out, causing the train to crash into another, killing dozens of performers and circus animals alike. Today, those with a circus freak fetish can pay tribute to this shrine of fallen eye poppers, contortionists, and bearded ladies. Bring a razor.

4. World Champion Cow Grave At An Insane Asylum: Traverse City, Michigan

During her lifetime, Colantha the cow pumped out more milk than any other bovine on record. Her milk filled thousands of glasses, graced countless cereal bowls, and helped bake cookies for families across the nation.

How better then to honour this world record setting cow then by laying her to rest in a grave site set on grounds of Michigan’s largest insane asylum (now defunct). If the story of Colantha’s life and death doesn’t put you in a melancholy mood, the decaying brick, chained porches, and bared windows of the surrounding institution certainly will.

-Sam

Come across any bizarre attractions in Michigan yourself? Share them with us in the comments below.

Attractions, Fun, strange

Our quest to seek out America’s most bizarre attractions continues to the Mid Western state of Illinois. While the typical Illinois vacation would have you taking in a Cubs game, dining on Chicago deep dish and journeying to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, we’ll have you experiencing everything but. So buckle up, put on your best Chicago accent, and journey with us to five of Illinois strangest attractions:

1. Funeral Home Mini Golf: Palatine, Illinois

When they’re not embalming a corpse or displaying the dead, you can bet the staff and patrons of the Palatine Funeral home will be in the basement playing a round of death themed mini golf. In fact, a free round of golf comes included with each funeral package.

The smell of formaldehyde fills the air, as you put your way through a challenging course filled with coffins, tombstones and other funeral themed memorabilia. Land your ball in the hole and watch it plummet 6 feet under.

2. World’s Heaviest Man’s Grave: Benville, Illinois

It’s only fitting that the final resting place of the world’s heaviest man, should be located but a stones throw away from the site of the world’s first McDonald’s Restaurant. While there’s no telling just how many Big Macs, apple pies and hot fudge sundaes Robert Earl Hughes consumed during his life, it’s safe to assume it helped him get where he is today.

Once weighing in at a hefty 1041 LBS, Hughes’ subterranean eat-nothing diet has reduced him to nothing but bones.

3. Live Otters In Bank: Kewanee, Illinois

At Kewanee’s Union Federal Savings and Loan, you can make a deposit, take out a loan, and pay a visit to Oscar and Andy, the bank’s dynamic otter duo (though Oscar Sadly passed away in 2008).

Housed in a giant pit at the centre of the bank, the otters have succeeded in re-inspiring investor confidence in the midst of the financial crisis. In fact, prices of fisheries stocks (the otters primary food source) have risen a staggering 64% since the arrival of the playful pair.

4. World’s Largest Bagel Parade: Matton, Illinois

Bring out the cream cheese, prepare your cutting knifes, warm up your toasters and get set for a carbohydrate rich parade that puts Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to shame.

There’s no need for elaborate floats or fancy costumes here, no, the men and women happily dressed as poppy, sesame, onion and chocolate bagels are all you need.

Aside from the big name musicians and street performers who show up for their fill of dough, the event is highlighted by the appearance of the world’s largest bagel. To our disappointment however, the mammoth baked good was filled with thousands of bagel ruining raisins. Yuck!

5. Leaning Tower Of Niles: Niles, Illinois

Why bother with the trip to Italy, when you can experience Pisa (or at least a reasonable facsimile), just 15 minutes from Chicago O’Hare. And heck, authentic Italian cuisine doesn’t even come close to matching Chicago deep dish.

The 94 foot tower is about half the size of the Italian original, but with the right camera angle no one but da Vinci will be able to tell that it’s not the real thing (and he’s dead).

-Sam

Attractions, Fun, strange, travel